Socket wrench



Nov. 11, 19.41. c. L v ANERs-rRoM I 2,

SOCKET WRENCH Filed Sept. 2', 193a 677a r/as Z. Vdfiensfmm 1 2,262,434 sooKE'r WRENCH Charles L. vat amm, HighlandLPark, Mich. 2 l fnspii atithgsepternber 2, 1938, Serial No. 228,228

2 Glaims- (o1. 81- -12 This invention relates it socket wrenches, and" has moreparticular reference to an improved detachable socket member for wrenches havin simple and efficient means for removably retaining a nut in the nut socket thereof. 2

A more specific object ofthe present invention is to provide a detachable wrench socket with detachable nut-retaining means which may be readily applied or removed, but which will be effectively retained in place upon the socket memher for efiicient operation when required.

The present invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the I accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing: I v

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a detachable socket member for wrenches provided with a form of nut-retaining means embodying the presentinvention. 2

Figure 2is an end elevation looking toward left of Figure 1.

the

a Figure 3 is a central longitudinalsection on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation looking toward the right of Figure l. 2 2

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1. I 2

2 Figure 6 is a bottom plan view thereof; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the nut-engaging detent.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the present invention includes a detachable socket member for wrenches consisting of an elongated tubular member 5 having a relatively deep enlarged polygonal socket 6 formed in one end thereof and adapted for detachable reception of the polygonal end of a wrench handle as is well known in the art, such handles usually being provided with a ball clutch for frictionally retaining the handle end within the socket 6. The socket member 5 has another relatively shallower polygonal socket of enlargeclfform formed in the opposite ends thereofas at I and adapted for reception of the nut 8 to be turned. The wall of socket l is provided with an opening 9 in one side thereof and extending slidably through this opening is a detent ll) adapted to frictionally engage the adjacent side of the nut 8 arranged in the socket I for releasably or removably retaining said nut in said socket so that the same will not be lost and will be properly held while being applied to the bolt on which thenut is to be placed and threaded. In order to yieldinglyforce the detent inwardly into engagement with the nut 8, I prosocket member; 5 exteriorly and longitudinally of the latter,one2 end of spring arm ll being attached to the socket member 5 at the end of the latter provided with the handle-receiving socket,

upon insertion of the nut to thereby interfere in no way with such insertion of the latter.

In the preferred form of the invention, the arm I I is formed integral with split spring clasps 14 disposed in spaced relation on one end of arm 2 and embodying oppositely extending arcuate arms adapted to snugly embrace the socket mem- 2 her for the greater portion ofthe circumference thereof. Thesearms of clips M are normally tensioned to grip the socket member 5 when slid endwise of the latter onto said socket member 5. Thus, the nut holding unit is effectively prevented against lateral displacement from the socket member and movement of detent I0 is permitted entirely through yielding of the end portion of arm ll projecting beyond the clips or clasps I4. It is desirable to prevent rotation of the detent l0 and for this purpose the head 12 of said detent may be provided with a transverse kerf l5 engaged by atransverse embossed rib l6 provided on the free end portion of arm I I.

In order to securely hold the arm II in place or against lateral displacement from the socket member 5, the ends ofthe arms of clasps [4 are inturned at H for engagement in longitudinal grooves l8 provided in the socket member 5 exteriorly of the latter. Thus lateral detachment of the clasps M from the socket member 5 is prevented, and removal or application of the clasps with respect to the socket member 5 is permitted only by displacement thereof longitudinally of the socket member 5. A very durable and. efficient construction is thus had, and the grooves in the socket 1 until it is positioned as shown in,

videfa spring. arm n suitably attached toflthe Figure 3 for being engaged by the detent l0 and thereby effectively frictionally held Within said socket I. The nut, while thus retained, may be readily engaged with the end of a bolt and subsequently threaded onto the latter. By merely withdrawing the socket member, it will be pulled off of the nut 8 after its application to the bolt.

While I have illustrated and described in considerable detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible of minor changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

In combination with a detachable socket memher for wrenches comprising. a tubular member provided in one end with a relatively deep polygonal handle-receiving socket and in the other end with a relatively shallower nut-receiving socket, the wall of said last-named socket having an opening in one side thereof, a spring arm frictionally attached atone end to said socket member and disposed longitudinally of the latter with its other end overlying said opening, a detent associated with the last-named end of said spring arm and slidably projecting inwardly through said opening for frictional engagement with the adjacent side of a nut disposed in said nut-receiving socket, the attaching means for said spring'arm preventing rocking movement of the latter laterally with respect to the socket member, said detent comprising a cylindrical member slidably fitted in said opening and having an enlarged head upon the outer end thereof for limiting the inward movement of the detent, the free end of said spring contacting the outer face of said head, said head having a transverse kerf, and the free end of said spring arm being provided with a transverse rib arranged to engage in said kerf for preventing rotation of the detent and accidental removal of the spring arm from said socket member.

CHARLES L. VANERSTROM. 

